Bekonscot Model Village

Well, this is probably my most quaint blog post to date - just in case the pink thatched cottage shown above didn't serve as enough of a clue! Having long been a fan of everything and anything miniature, it was only a matter of time before I got around to exploring Bekonscot Model Village & Railway. Located in Beaconsfield (close to London on the map), Bekonscot is the world's first and therefore oldest model village, having opened to the world in 1929. It's a whole other (teeny-tiny) world...

Personally, I find that most things reduced to a smaller size can seem adorable. So, spread a whole lot of finely-detailed model buildings across 1.5 acres and my heart is close to melting! However the site attracted a lot of attention (of course) from children, and so I did my best to contain my excitement and act like an adult. I mean, if acting like an adult includes enthusiastically shouting 'I want to ride the cablecar!' to a group of strangers.

Though the weather has been all over the place lately, I was surprised (and relieved) to find Bekonscot showing off underneath the sun for most of my time there. The model village has definite 'holiday vibes' about it, with every inch of the place reminding me of childhood visits to the beach with my grandparents. I'm not 100% sure where that thought comes from considering Bekonscot is nowhere near the seaside, however I have a feeling it has something to do with how innocent the attraction is; it's a fun, playful and totally harmless way of spending an hour or so!At the halfway point of the one-way system winding thorough the gardens, there's a wall of history providing a quick glimpse at the past 80 years of the model village since its opening. From the very beginning, it's attracted attention from the Royal Family, even seeing our present Queen Elizabeth II visit the day before her eight birthday (20th April 1934). It's exactly this kind of background story that makes a place very, very special; it's heartwarming to know since then it's been so well looked after and remains a place visitors can go and explore. What's even more heartwarming to know, is that all profits go to charity!

Psst! Bekonscot has been visited over 15 million times since 1929!The last time I so much as laid eyes on a model village was while watching Hot Fuzz for the ten millionth time (anyone else love that film?!), so I'm really pleased to have got around to exploring Roland Callingham's incredible creation. If you're looking for a place to lose yourself in for an hour or so, consider this it.

Omigosh what a a perfectly quaint model village!!! Why is is that things are often even more charming when captured in miniature? It's really nice that this place has such a cool history as well. We've also watched Hot Fuzz many many times. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are just hilarious together.

I was sure there was something strange about that pink cottage house. Then I read it's a miniature.This whole village looks totally amazing - so many details and it's all so realistic. It's fascinating!!

Oh my gosh, this is the cutest! I'm so happy you included this on your blog because I absolutely adore it! My husband was looking over my shoulder when I was reading this post and we both 100% want to visit!

Seeing this post reminded me of my recent trip to Miniature World in Victoria, Canada. I was with my family and we decided to go there because we hadn't been there in years. They have miniature replicas of historical events, as well as iconic landmarks and stuff like that. But not an entire village like this one! I really love looking at miniature things too. They are just so adorable! To think that someone actually made all of this stuff is insane!

Oh model villages are just so pretty!! I absolutely adore visiting them! They make me feel giant though! Your pictures are stunning and I really want to go there now! I've been to the one on the Isle of Wight! :) x

I think the quintessential nature of your blog is one of the reasons I love visiting so much :) This mini world is absolutely adorable and so accurate- every detail looks super realistic! Glad you had a great time!

How charming! I am such a fan of miniature things, from tiny buildings to a simply adorable village such as this. It must have been a lot of fun to visit and have a worthy eye stare at its intricacies. Gorgeous images as well Gabrielle. Hope your week is going well! :) xx/Madison Summer Champs

Oh wow. That place looks so amazing. I knew you must have visited an incredible place the moment I saw the photo of the pink cottage on your instagram page. I'm definitely going to add the model village to my list of places to see.

When I first saw that pink cottage on your Instagram, I thought there's something odd with it :) I've only been to model city place one and it is crazy how people get every details right with such tiny pieces :) x

I would love to visit it this model village.....it is beyond adorable. Things do look cute when they're small, don't they...and this village is absolutely fabulous, I'm head over head with how detailed it is. Plus, it seems like such a lovely place to visit, very serene and green.

Bonus points for profits going to charity! If I ever get the chance to visit, I sure will:)

Well this place is the absolute cutest! I've never heard of it before but I would certainly want to visit. & I agree that hearing stories about the Queen and other anecdotes like that are what make a place special. It allows you to connect more with it.

Do you think I could get one of these in my room hehe ? Oh my gosh it's so freaking cute I love it I'm with you the smaller the cuter ! I cant belive it's 1.5 acres ! Thats amazing and with all that detail the creaters must have been so talented ! With all that cute I'd of had a little trouble remaining adult as well ! I love the seaside idea it's so nostalgic , i have got to go and visit this place :)

This town looks like something out of a movie/story book, so so so pretty! Love that pink cottage!! I love all these places you're exploring! I didn't know there's such thing as a model village and I have bookmarked this place; will visit when i go to london!

I saw the photo on your Instagram, and I gotta say that it looks so super duper cute! I mean I have seen many pink houses, but the design of this one is just different and I think it is so cute! Love the casual denim look girl!

I've never been to a miniature village but the exhibits look super cute. I can imagine what a fun day out this visit must have been. Thanks so much for sharing Gabrielle! Hope you're well and ou're having a fab weekend (watching Hot Fuzz?)

Bekonscot is amazing! I went there with my grandparents when I was a lot younger and had no idea the proceeds went to charity either! So cool. My favourite thing about model villages is always the way they shape the other plants and bushes to look like trees! So cute. And yes, after watching Hot Fuzz, any model village just takes me straight back to that film! - Tasha

ohhh my!! Gabrielle! I would have been lost there and would have shouted the same, "I WANNNTT to ride that cable car!" haha, that one really kills me *_^

They even make that fire brigade rescue on the roof top smoking??! I am impressed how much details put into the models. Yeah, I know what you mean, anything small or young ALWAYS almost look darn cute, right?! haha

And the fact that it is still so well-kept and maintained after all these years goes to show how serious they are, and it's also nice to know that all proceeds go to charity.

As always, thanks so much for sharing your lovely adventure with me, it feels like I have taken the tour myself *_^

Oh my, this is amazing! I didn't actually realise you could actually visit these places! The amount of work that must go into creating them must be immense! It reminds me of my love of the borrowers when I was younger and how I desperately wanted to be that small!

Hello Gaby. How fascinating! The Bekonscot Model Village looks incredible, fun place for kids too! ;-) I'll be spending a weekend in your city but unfortunately will not have the time to visit this place ;(PS: thanks for your words ;) Have a lovely weekend